Habits, Quirks, And Quirky Habits

I pay attention to things. Not just to the people around me, but to myself. Because someday I’ll have to write that ache or pain, that love or grief, or any other emotion, and I don’t know how to do that if I haven’t lived some version of it.

But there are times when I’m not paying attention. Like when I’m deep in a scene, or trying to edit for specific effect. I’ll come out of my trance enough to realize my coffee is cold, I’m twisted up like a pretzel in my seat and rocking, and people are trying not to stare. And I’m generally also stimming – knotting my hands in my hair or running a fingertip over my lips again, and again, and again.

I don’t do this when I’m writing at home so much as when I’m out where there are other people and other distractions. Stimming blocks it out so I can focus. But it’s not done consciously, only noticed after the fact.

I don’t work in public much. Nothing that requires deep concentration, at any rate.

Years ago, I read about a study on brain activity during meditation. If I remember right, the Dalai Lama participated. I’d love to find out the results of a similar study using writers, or any artists, while creating. (I’m sure it’s been done, so if you know of one, please tell me about it in the comments!)

What do you think they’d find?

My husband might be the only one who can tell when my writer-brain is in full swing. Everyone else tends to ask me what’s wrong.

And nothing disrupts my writer-brain faster than suddenly needing to reassure others. I’m curious about what, exactly, they see.

What about your quirks and habits? Tell me some you’ve either noticed in yourself or had others notice!

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